The work of Rock Solid includes weekly club nights, weekly small group mentoring, several camps per year, lunch-time visits to South Dunedin schools, one-to-one mentoring, and regular phone, text, and social media contact. Youth workers and volunteers often cheer youth on at school productions, sports games, cultural events, and award ceremonies for the youth that they mentor.
In addition youth have the opportunity to be involved with their leaders in fundraising activities and other shared activity. Up to a 100 youth participate in these regular events each week with a greater number of youth benefiting from the in-school programmes and visits.
Here's what one of our young people has to say:
"Rock solid means a lot to me. It is filled with the best leaders who welcome you each week with big smiles and love. The leaders are always there for you when you need someone to talk to and always have advise no matter the situation."
All of this work is consistent with the Youth Development Strategy advocated by the Ministry of Youth Development. Our Youth Workers and volunteer leaders focus on young people’s strengths, enable youth participation, facilitate positive connections in social environments, and build capacity in youth.
Inherent in the Rock Solid approach are elements noted by Positive Youth Development research and self-determination theory. Youth workers and leaders use the Mana of Courage Framework and are mindful of the importance of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. Because of this we put a big emphasis on a relentlessly strengths based approach.
In Rock Solid, we are also mindful of the Māori model of well-being Te Whare Tapa Wha, which recognises physical, spiritual, mental/emotional & social dimensions as all being vital. Regular and frequent contact with mentors is also a key component of the Rock Solid programme, and this is robustly supported by research showing value of such connection.
Rock Solid Dunedin is part of The Straight Up Trust, a charitable non-profit organisation based in South Dunedin. We have been working with youth and families in the southern areas of Dunedin for over 18 years now.
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